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EPA910-N-11-001
January 2014
EPA Region 10 Healthy Schools Team
Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Tribal Nations
For details on grant and teacher award, please contact:
Environmental Education contact for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Sally Hanft at hanft.sally@epa.gov or 206-553-1207
EPA's Environmental Education Grant Program
Deadline: February 4, 2014
http://www2.epa.gov/education/environmental-education-ee-grants
This grant program will fund environmental education projects that will serve
as models of practice, methods and/or techniques that can be replicated in a
variety of settings. Each recipient will be required to award exactly 25% of the
funds received to eligible sub-recipients in the form of sub-grants of $5,000 or
less. Award amounts are from $75,000 to $200,000 in federal funds.
2014 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental
Educators
Deadline: February 28, 2014
Application: http://www2.epa.gov/education/presidential-innovation-
award-environmental-educators
NewsFlash Quick Review
Grant Opportunities
• EPA Environmental
Education Grant Program
• 2014 Presidential
Innovation Award for
Environmental
Educations
Sensible Steps to Healthier
School Environments Webinars
• Prevention of and
Response to Mercury
Spills in Schools
• Understanding and
Reducing Exposures to
PCBs in Schools
The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators recognizes outstanding kindergarten through grade 12
teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for
learning. Up to two teachers from each of EPA's 10 regions, from different states, will be selected.
• Teacher awardees will receive a commemorative plaque and an award of $2,000 to be used to further the
recipient's professional development in environmental education.
• The teacher's local education agency will also receive an award of $2,000 to fund environmental educational
activities and programs.
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments Webinars
More than 1,500 school stakeholders across the country have participated in Sensible Steps
webinars this year. Join your colleagues for this special, ongoing series!
Designed to meet the needs of your entire school community
Facility Managers
Custodial Staff
District Administrators
Principals
-School Nurses
-Teachers
- Support Staff
-School Board Members
Session #9 - Sensible Steps for Prevention of and Response to Mercury Spills in Schools
January 22, 2014 3:00 PM EST Register Now
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Elemental mercury is found in some thermometers, switches, and school science labs. Its unique properties make
it appealing to handle, but mercury can make people sick. Mercury spills in schools are often caused by youth who
are curious about mercury. Cleanup of large mercury spills can be costly and disruptive - resulting in unplanned
early dismissals, and days to months of school closures.
Join us for this webinar to:
• Understand how to eliminate sources of mercury in your school and use safer alternatives
• Learn about the student education materials available on the "Don't Mess with Mercury" website
• Learn step-by-step what to do when mercury spills at school, and what to communicate after a spill
• Hear firsthand "lessons learned" from a school official about a mercury spill in her school district
Featured presenters:
Sue Casteel, MS, Environmental Health Shelley R. Bengtson, Environmental
Scientist, Health Educator Specialist
ATSDR Region 4 Omaha Public Schools
Register for this session today! You'll receive a certificate of completion for your participation in each webinar.
Session #10 - Sensible Steps to Understanding and Reducing Exposures to PCBs in
Schools
February 18, 2014 3:00 PM EST Register Now
PCBs, or Polychlorinated Biphenyls, are man-made chemicals that were banned from production in the U.S. in 1979.
They were added to many products for their favorable flame-resistant, stability, plasticizer, and electrical insulation
properties. Products containing PCBs may still be present in some school buildings built or renovated in the 1950s
through the 1970s. PCBs are released from these products over time and can be found in the air, dust, soil, and on
surfaces in and around schools, leading to potential exposures for children and staff. Cleaning and remedial steps
can be taken to reduce levels in the school environment and exposures to building occupants.
Join us for this webinar to learn:
• What PCBs are and how people may be exposed in school buildings;
• How to determine whether your school may have potentially PCB containing materials;
• Approaches for assessing PCBs in the school environment and developing a remedial action plan for
removal and/or cleanup of PCB-contaminated materials;
• Best practices to limit exposures both short and long-term.
Featured presenters:
Mr. Kent Thomas, Scientist Ms. Kimberly Tisa, PCB Coordinator
U.S. EPA National Exposure Research U.S. EPA Region 1
Laboratory in Research Triangle Park, NC
Register for this session today! You'll receive a certificate of completion for your participation in each webinar.
To learn more about the Sensible Steps Webinar series and view sessions on specific school environmental
health topics: http://vosemite.epa.gov/R10/ecocomm.nsf/childrenshealth/sensible-steps-webinars
• Subscribe to our mailing list to receive details and registration reminders for other Sensible Steps
Webinars.
• View the Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments guide.
• Check out EPA's Healthy School Environments website
Please share this message with your school environmental health colleagues and contacts!
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